Smoke and Mirrors: Screening for the Detection of Adolescent Substance Use Disorders—What School Counselors Should Know

Substance abuse remains a perennial problem among adolescents in the school setting, yet largely invisible. The typical response to a substance abusing student is expulsion, yet we know that substance abuse follows a six stage continuum from no interest on one end to harmful involvement and physical/psychological dependence at the other end. Data also indicates that identification and early intervention provides the best prognosis for these students. While numerous prevention programs have proven effective, none is 100% effective, and a certain percentage of students will not respond to prevention efforts. Given the fact that substance use disorders are responsive to treatment, identification, screening, intervention, and referral are all within the domain of the school counselor. All four of these areas will be discussed.